Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn.

According to Riverbender.com and a Department of Commerce news release, funds were given to these projects:

— $1,170,523 to the Springfield CVB to create a Route 66 interactive metaverse exhibit using augmented and virtual reality. It will focus on the lived experiences of Black Americans traveling or living in communities along Route 66 throughout its history. Funding also will support an exhibit at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, featuring a replica of the entirety of Route 66, nostalgic signs and more.

— $919,000 to the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau to retrofit the West End Service Station in Edwardsville to serve as a Route 66 visitor’s center with museum-quality exhibits, memorabilia and local products. It also will develop murals and monuments throughout the region on the route. It will reopen the historic Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and create a Mural Trail of 12 postcard-style murals that highlight Route 66 facts in Virden, Girard, Gillespie, Carlinville, Litchfield, Staunton, Hamel, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Livingston, Granite City and East St. Louis.

— $1,575,488 to Heritage Corridor CVB to build electric vehicle charging stations in Wilmington and Pontiac and a Route 66 welcome center in Joliet. It will launch an integrated statewide marketing campaign focused on Route 66 destinations and attractions throughout Illinois.

— $334,989 to Oak Park CVB to place new electric vehicle charging stations along Ogden Avenue (aka Route 66) in Berwyn, renovate its Route 66 wayside exhibit, add a “Muffler Man” art installation to top the Cigars and Stripes BBQ in Berwyn and make other upgrades to Route 66 landmarks.

“These projects honor the history of Route 66 while also building for the future with new attractions and upgrades that benefit communities across Illinois,” Pritzker said. “I can’t think of a better way to prepare for Route 66’s centennial celebration than revitalizing and creating attractions along the Mother Road.”

The Pritzker administration announced the formation of the Route 66 grant program in February.

(Image of Route 66 directional sign in Illinois by Mike Linksvayer via Flickr)